Welcome to the Ames and Weymouth Schools

Hello once again from the music teacher! Inside this issue you’ll find some of the things your kids have been working very hard on as well as some things your kids will soon be starting. There are also some important dates to be aware of!

Our kindergarteners have been very busy wiggling and moving to steady beats. They have been singing using high and low voices and been working on identifying high and low sounds. They’ve also made homemade instruments and have shared and played them using their rhythm reading skills in class.

First grade is now reading 4 beat rhythms very well! They have started learned about the string family and have also made homemade instruments and have shared and played them in class. First grade has also been learning about note direction and learning to sing a new song in Spanish.

Second grade has been working diligently on starting to read notes on the treble clef staff. They have learned two xylophone accompaniment parts for a song called “”Shake Hands Mary”.” Second grade has been learning a country song called Shake them Simmons Down and a dance that goes along with it.

I have third grade working on decoding rhythms I play on a drum using rhythmic syllables. They have also continued their work with using dynamics while singing. We’ve been learning to sing a few songs in French and Spanish. We’ve also started working on percussion parts for a sea shanty the kids have been working on. They have also been working on identifying instruments by sound.

Fourth grade is now reading notes and rhythms. They have been practicing identifying instruments by sound. We’ve started a Latin American song and will be adding a lot of percussion parts and doing some percussion circles.

Beginning band is going very well! We have now incorporated eighth note playing into some of our songs. The groups are advancing nicely and have a good sound! With only half a year of band this year I am very proud of the fifth grade band and how far they have come!

I have had a wonderful first year in MSAD 34! It has been a lot of fun working with your children and I hope that you are as pleased with the results as I have been! I can’t wait to see what next year brings! Stay tuned for the next issue of Music Monthly!